Kilifi leaders are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Kilifi Gen Zs who participated in the recent weekly protests against the finance bill.
In a press briefing held in Kilifi town, Senator Stewart Madzayo and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi alleged that approximately ten youths, previously released by the courts last week, were rearrested and are currently being detained without any formal charges.
Madzayo, who also serves as the Senate Minority Leader, urged President William Ruto to urgently summon the Kilifi County Police to ensure the youths’ release, as their current whereabouts remain unknown.
“These youths were exercising their democratic right to protest. It is unacceptable that they are being held without charge. We call on President Ruto to intervene and ensure justice is served,” Madzayo stated.
Madzayo also criticized local MPs who he accused of politicizing the Gen Z protests. He suggested that these politicians were misleading President Ruto and undermining his efforts to engage with the youth in meaningful national conversations.
“Misleading the President and spoiling the good gesture he made by engaging the youth in national dialogues is unhelpful. We need to support, not suppress, the voices of our young people,” Madzayo emphasized.
MP Amina Mnyazi challenged the security agencies to transparently identify and apprehend the politicians allegedly behind the protests, rather than harassing the youth expressing their dissatisfaction with the Kenya Kwanza government.
“Instead of targeting the youth who are simply voicing their concerns, the security agencies should go after the real culprits. Name and arrest those politicians if they are truly behind these protests,” Mnyazi asserted.
The leaders’ call for action highlights the ongoing tensions between the government and the youth, and the growing discontent surrounding the finance bill. As the protests continue, the demand for justice and transparency from the authorities remains a critical issue for the residents of Kilifi.
